Beast Wars Anonymous:

Beast Wars and all related belong to Hasbro. The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.

Loophole (PG)
by BluePard (bluepard@buffnet.net)

Inside Maximal Base a view screen shows meteors pelting the landscape bringing down trees, rocks and putting dents in the base. Optimus stands in front of the screen, shaking his head.

OPTIMUS: Glad we were all inside when these meteor showers started. I've never seen anything like it. Let's just hope Tigatron found some cover.

RHINOX: These showers won't reach the north. Tigatron is safe.

RATTRAP: What about us? These things are tearing up the ship!

CHEETOR: Bet they're tearing up the pred's ship, too.

OPTIMUS: The Predacons aren't what I'm thinking of. Panthera is out there, and these meteors could tear here apart.

RATTRAP: Oh, big loss.

DINOBOT: Though I agree that Panthera's demise could only benefit us, I doubt it will happen. Proxians are harder to kill than cockroaches.

RATTRAP: And less welcome around the house.

Outside Maximal Base, after the showers, they surveyed the broken landscape.

CHEETOR: Man, that's a lotta damage.

RATTRAP: You think that looks bad, looka over there, a pred! (Tarantulus is on the edge of the Jungle. Cheetor, Dinobot and Rattrap as well as Tarantulus transform. They all shoot until Tarantulus retreats)

CHEETOR: Why'd he fight? We had him outnumbered.

DINOBOT: Perhaps there was something of value he was trying to keep. (The Maximals walk over to where Tarantulus was standing. There they find Panthera, curled up, logged out, with a force field surrounding her and a web suspended over the field)

CHEETOR: Uh-oh...

RATTRAP: Well, she survived the meteors. (Cheetor taps his com)

CHEETOR: Optimus, this is Cheetor. We just found Panthera, logged out and protected by a force field.

OPTIMUS: Better get out of there before she wakes up.

CHEETOR: But Tarantulus put a web on top of the force field. The second she takes down her shield she'll be helpless.

DINOBOT: A fine way to rid ourselves of this pest.

OPTIMUS: Maximals don't do that, Dinobot. But we can still use this to our advantage. Wait for her shields to deactivate, then bring her back to the base.

RATTRAP: Do you have a toaster oven for a brain?

OPTIMUS: Just do it. (The connection is cut. Cheetor takes a look at Panthera)

CHEETOR: She's gonna be mad. (They wait until Panthera awakes)

PANTHERA'S INTERNAL COMPUTER: Two megacycles complete. Shield deactivating. (The force field goes down. The net, no longer supported, drops onto Panthera, she roars as she is electrocuted, goes into stasis lock)

RATTRAP: Yeah, and you can wake her up, Spots.

SCENE: Inside Maximal Base. Panthera is inside a cage at the corner of the base.

PANTHERA: This is, by far, the most despicable and dishonorable thing you've done yet!

RATTRAP: What, you expected us to fetch some parsley and surrender? Think again, Furface. (Panthera growls)

OPTIMUS: A good deal, I think. You're alive and we're safe.

PANTHERA: (pacing) There is more to life than just living.

RATTRAP: Hey, be glad for the gift. If it were MY choice...

PANTHERA: Finish that sentence and you're the first to go once I'm free.

RATTRAP: What makes you so sure you'll ever see the other side of those bars?

PANTHERA: Simple. You're all a bunch of idiots. I'm not. (She continues pacing inside her cage. Eventually she lies down, her tongue sticking out.)

CHEETOR: Is it just me or is there something ominous about her tongue? (Panthera gives the smallest inkling of a laugh and stands up)

PANTHERA: My dear optimist Optimus, perhaps we could reach a compromise?

OPTIMUS: I thought this was a compromise.

PANTHERA: I didn't agree to it, therefore it isn't. But I could agree not to hurt any of you, provided you promise likewise.

OPTIMUS: All right... (shuts Rattrap up with a gesture) ..but you have to rejoin us, and work in the best interests of everyone.

PANTHERA: A promise easily made... once I'm freed of this cage.

OPTIMUS: Let her go.

RATTRAP: Have you completely lost it? There is no way I'm hanging around if.. (Optimus walks over and unlocks the cage himself. Panthera pushes the door open and makes a leap at the rat, who screams. Panthera pins him to the ground with a single paw on his chest, and laughs at his face)

OPTIMUS: (sternly) Panthera...

PANTHERA: Hey, you didn't say a thing about scaring the rat! (Laughs)

RATTRAP: I oughta scrap your circuits, you black-coated pile of walking slag! (Panthera growls, placing enough pressure on his chest to knock the wind out of him)

RATTRAP: (strangled) Of course, I meant that in a nice way. (Panthera laughs again as she lets him up and walks to the elevator platform)

OPTIMUS: Where do you think you're going?

PANTHERA: Out. To stretch my legs.

OPTIMUS: All right. You can look for energon with Rattrap.

RATTRAP: There is NO WAY I'm going anywhere with that... (all the insults he wants to say overload his mouth and he just makes strangling noises)

RHINOX: You sure that's wise?

PANTHERA: Yeah, we all know how bloodthirsty I am, why sacrifice the rat?

OPTIMUS: You promised to help, so you'll help.

PANTHERA: Fine, his funeral. (Panthera smiles at Rattrap as they leave. Panthera talks all the way to the mining site)

PANTHERA: ...then there's the matter of the logic circuit's wiring. Maximals and Predicons are both highly deficient in that area, your heads are put together all wrong, most notably in comparison to Proxians though nearly the least efficient of any of the galaxy.... (Rattrap turns on his tail and waves his finger in her face)

RATTRAP: SHUT UP!! I've heard enough of your self-centered Proxian pyschobabble to last me the next thousand stellar cycles! (He turns continues walking) I'd prefer to have Megs guarding my back. At least he'd gloat less. You can just go jump off a cliff for all I care... (he stops, wondering why he isn't getting any backlash for this, and turns to find Panthera's gone. With a surprised look he continues)

RATTRAP: Sheesh, that panther takes everything literally.

SCENE: Jungle. Panthera is walking in a tight circle, mumbling to herself, with her tongue sticking out.

PANTHERA: I set it up. It is in place. I could get out of it easily any time... today even. (she stops pacing) But.... wouldn't it be so much more fun if I.... (she starts chuckling to herself, then stops, hearing energy weapons blasting in the distance)

SCENE: The energon mines. Terrorsaur and Waspinator are shooting at Rattrap, the landscape is charred.

RATTRAP: You'll never take me alive, ya stinkin' preds!

TERRORSAUR: (to Waspinator) What makes him think we want him alive? (he starts laughing. They continue shooting, setting off some of the energon and blowing the ground out from under Rattrap. He's damaged, and is hit by an energon surge. He goes to beast mode and runs for cover, but the energon is set off again and this time he doesn't get up.)

WASPINATOR: Wazzpinator is great warrior! Wazzpinator will be rewarded for scrapping annoying rat!

TERRORSAUR: You scrapped? I did all the work! I saw him first! (Panthera rushes out of the forest, still in beast form. She picks Rattrap up in her mouth, then runs to cover while they argue)

WASPINATOR: Nooo! Wazzpinator set off energon, Wazzpinator scrapped him! (Panthera transforms, whips out her handy-dandy sand shooter. Inside her eyelids two targeting boxes, one for horizontal, one for vertical, lock onto Terrorsaur)

TERRORSAUR: He could still be alive! I'll finish him! (He looks around and realizes Rattrap's gone) Hey, he's... (Panthera shoots twice on target, bringing down Terrorsaur, who is followed by Waspinator, his wings gummed up. Panthera blows on the opening of the barrel of her gun in an "I rule" motion, secures it back by her side and goes back to beast mode. She turns to Rattrap)

PANTHERA: Man, and I thought you were a wimp before... (Rattrap is not moving) Rattrap? (she nudges him, lifts up his eyelid, puts an ear to his chest) This so stinks! I risk my tail for the idget and he's already scrap! (She starts to walk away, but stops and flinches) Unless.... oh, slag, I had to keep thinking, didn't I? I could be a total moron like the rest of this bunch but noooo... (she returns to Rattrap's side, scratching a tear in his skin and preparing for an energon transfer, she sighs) This will be sooo.... not pleasant. (She transfers energon to Rattrap, gritting her teeth but half-roaring with pain besides)

PANTHERA'S INTERNAL COMPUTER: Energon levels at ten percent, automatic log out commence. (Panthera wobbles a second, falling next to Rattrap and curling into a ball. They both lie unconscious until the spiders arrive)

BLACK ARACHNIA: Why, if it isn't the lion curling up with the lamb. (Tarantulus pokes Rattrap)

TARANTULUS: The lamb's scrap.

BLACK ARACHNIA: But the cat... arhhh, if Megatron didn't have that pain collar... (they throw a web over Panthera and drag her away. And, behind them, Rattrap sparks and his wounds reform themselves into his normal, undamaged pelt)

SCENE: Inside Predicon Base. Panthera is within a cage, asleep. Several predicons wait, looking bored.

PANTHERA'S INTERNAL COMPUTER: Energon levels stable. (Panthera awakes, yawns and roars as the collar around her neck lights up. Megatron grins)

MEGATRON: Ahhh, Panthera, did you enjoy your rest? (Panthera growls, then roars as the collar lights up again)

MEGATRON: I wouldn't take that tone. With that pain collar around your neck not only can't you transform, but I can put you in extreme pain for any reason... (he presses a button on a remote control, causing Panthera to roar again) ...or for no reason at all. So, you had better do all I say.

PANTHERA: Deja vu, can't you be original? I suppose you're gonna ask me to scrap the Maximals again.

MEGATRON: Precisely.. (Panthera sticks out her tongue... and the collar lights up again)

MEGATRON: None of that. I'd prefer you didn't think, you always seem to cause trouble when you do that. So, about my proposition...

PANTHERA: I'm afraid I can't do that....

MEGATRON: Oh, no problem, I'll just have to change your mind. (He puts the remote control down, placing a weight on the button. Panthera grits her teeth)

MEGATRON: (to Terrorsaur) Every megacycle lift up the rock and ask her if she will cooperate. If she doesn't say yes, replace it for another megacycle until she does. Don't give her a chance to think, and don't set the pain index any higher. (All preds but Terrorsaur leave, while Panthera digs her claws into the bottom of her cage.)

SCENE: Inside Maximal Base

RHINOX: But what happened to Panthera?

RATTRAP: Knowing her, she probably used the opportunity to skip town.

OPTIMUS: She wouldn't do that. It's not honorable. She has an odd sense of right and wrong, but I don't think she would have left you defenseless with Predicon about. Something must have happened to her.

CHEETOR: What'll we do?

OPTIMUS: Well, Panthera is a Proxian, we can't search for her data tracks, and she wouldn't put any tracking devices in her com. I guess we'll just have to search the area where she disappeared. It's all we can do.

SCENE: Inside Predicon Base. Panthera is still gritting her teeth. Her vision is skewed, and she just watches, unable to control anything she waits while she runs on automatic, which keeps her breathing. But her breathing starts to slow, her eyes darken, and, in a matter of seconds, she falls into peace at the bottom of the cage.

TERRORSAUR: Hey, since when are you allowed naps? (He removes the weight from on top of the remote control and starts playing with the buttons and dials, but Panthera still doesn't move. He reaches inside the cage and raps on her head)

TERRORSAUR: Anybody home? Uh, oh... (he presses his com) Um, Megatron, we have a bit of a problem down here....

SCENE: Inside Predicon Base, later in time. Megatron slams his fist against the terminal.

MEGATRON: You scrapped her? Don't you realize that the Maximals would have fallen easily before a killer like Panthera? Didn't I specifically tell you not to set the pain index higher?

TERRORSAUR: I... I didn't, I swear!

MEGATRON: Liar! computer, scan Panthera for a spark. (The computer whirrs, flashes negative)

COMPUTER: No spark found.

MEGATRON: Search again!

COMPUTER: There is no spark within that vessel. (Megatron throws Terrorsaur at, and into, a wall, then calms down)

MEGATRON: Oh, well. One less problem to worry about. Save the pain collar, it may be useful. And throw that thing on the slagheap, before it starts to smell.

SCENE: Scrapheap. Panthera is tossed into some miscellaneous gully, a short distance from the Predicon Base. She tumbles to the bottom among sharp rocks, her hind right leg is broken and nearly taken off. She lays there for a few megacycles, and then she shivers, and suddenly open, she stifles a roar, looking back at what's left of her leg.

PANTHERA: (faintly) And I liked that leg, too. (She looks up at the dark sky, drags herself underneath an overhang) I must remember to thank Finagle for that bit of programming. (she settles down, noses her leg into place. She scans for all underground routes back to the Maximal Base, and they trace themselves inside her eyelids in red. None of them will get her back, but one has an unknown end, and that one flashes yellow, and she chooses it. She concentrates and overloads her leg with energon, and it sparks and heals)

PANTHERA'S INTERNAL COMPUTER: (weakly) Energon levels at three per... (Panthera loggs out)

SCENE: Outside Maximal Base. Rattrap and Cheetor are repairing the Axalon's hull. An energon explosion in the distance, small but noticeable.

CHEETOR: What was that?

OPTIMUS: (over com) I don't know. You and Rattrap had better check it out. The repairs are almost finished, anyways.

RATTRAP: And what if it's half the preds enjoying target practice?

CHEETOR: You're not afraid of a couple of preds, are you, Rattrap?

RATTRAP: Hey, I can take care of myself just fine. But I don't wanna have to drag your sorry carcass all the way back here.

CHEETOR: Don't worry about me. They can't shoot what they can't see. (He goes to beast mode and races off, followed by Rattrap)

SCENE: Jungle.

CHEETOR: Here's where the blast came from.

RATTRAP: Well, I don't see anyth..(A roar comes from behind him, he turns just as Panthera barrels into him, they roll a distance and Panthera catches Rattrap under her paw)

PANTHERA: HEY, RATTRAP!!

RATTRAP: Get offa me, ya back-talking, bad-smelling, black-coated beast!!

PANTHERA: (sings) There's one B-word you for-got!

RATTRAP: JUST GET OFFA ME! (Panthera lets him go)

PANTHERA: Sheesh, don't put a kink in your tail. What are you guys doing here, anyway?

CHEETOR: Investigating an explosion.

PANTHERA: Oh, that was me. I had to get out of some underground tunnels. So, a mysterious explosion and Optimus sends the two smallest Maximals there are. Sounds like him.

CHEETOR: Hey, we can take care of ourselves.

PANTHERA: Uh-huh. Remember when I drained your energon, how easily I did it? It was easy for a reason, kid. (She turns away)

CHEETOR: I'm older than you, ya know. (She turns back to him, grinning as largely as possible)

PANTHERA: And I *so* care. (Panthera walks away, followed by two angry Maximals)

SCENE: Inside Maximal Base

OPTIMUS: Where have you been?

PANTHERA: Well, part of the time I was being tortured by the Predicon, (after I saved Rattrap's life, might I add) and rest I was recovering.

RATTRAP: Ya, well, I don't remember you ever showing up.

PANTHERA: Of course not, you were dead. I rekindled your spark with a lovely little energon overdose.

OPTIMUS: An energon overdose? But, too much and you'd have melted his circuits.

PANTHERA: He was dead, it wouldn'ta hurt him. Besides, it worked.

RATTRAP: And how exactly did you know how much energon to use, smarty-paws?

PANTHERA: I don't happen to feel like telling you.

RATTRAP: Too late, Furface, I already know. Ya see, when I woke up I had a recollection of a certain panther's index codes.

PANTHERA: WHAT!!

RATTRAP: That's right, and since I gotta assume I got 'em from the energon transfer. Which means YOU got all our index codes when you drained our energon, and DAT'S how you knew my energon tolerance!

CHEETOR: You know our index codes?! But that's private stuff!

DINOBOT: Index codes are not to be taken lightly. If she knows ours we should know hers!

PANTHERA: Rattrap isn't about to tell you them.

RATTRAP: And why not?

PANTHERA: Because I'd remove your vocal circuits before you were through the first sequence, which begs the question.. (she grabs Rattrap by the neck) ..why don't I just do that now?

OPTIMUS: Ease back, Panthera, and let go of Rattrap. You can't expect them not to be upset.

CHEETOR: You have no right to know that!

PANTHERA: Too bad, Greenpaws, I already know 'em. (Cheetor growls and makes a leap at Panthera, she kicks him over herself and sits on his chest)

PANTHERA: Don't pick a fight with me. I'm bigger than you.

RATTRAP: Yeah, I wonder how you'd do against all of us at once, you...

OPTIMUS: Cool off, everybody. Panthera, get off of him. (Panthera growls as she lets him go, and he gasps and coughs. She walks to her quarters among evil eyes from everyone)

PANTHERA: Ahh, how I love compromises. Working for the common good... which reminds me, Rattrap, you never thanked me for saving your life. (She laughs at him, and returns to her quarters. She scales up the side of her top-bunk bunk bed, settles in, and chuckles into sleep, awaiting the night.)